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Summary: Cuts to the heart and bone of Mao's China
Review: I have read many books on China but none hurt me more than this one. Brought up as a third-generation Chinese in North America, I sometimes heard stories of how people suffered during the Cultural Revolution but the extent of the suffering was not made very personal. Reading Wild Swans makes one realizes the family suffering that went on during the crazy Orwellian times of campaign after campaign which destroyed the morale, motivation, humanity, and potential contributions of China's best and brightest. The fact that the author and most of her siblings are now living overseas attests to the fact that China has lost a generation of nation builders. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in filling in the pieces to China's turbulent past. Many suspicions I had in Asian Studies courses were answered in this book. The shouting Red Guards in Tian An Men Square waving Mao's Little Red Book, the horrible and unjust denunciations, and the few strong principled individuals take on a new depth of meaning in Chang's book. A must-read for those caught up in the revolutionary spirit of the 60's.
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Summary: For everyone interested in understanding China
Review: Do yourself a favor and read this book! If you have even a passing interest in understanding the largest country in the world, this book belongs on your must-read list. My wife and I traveled through much of China last year, and I must say that so much of what we saw and felt became so much more meaningful after reading this incredible account of three brave and wonderful women. I sincerely recommend this book.
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Summary: You won't be able to put it down!
Review: While living overseas in a country were book shops are few and far between, books get traded back and fourth between members of the expatriot community, and are horded by some. This was one book I was not too thrilled about when it was passed on to me....but once I read the first page I was transported into the trials of this amazing family. Read it ! Read it! Read it!
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Summary: If you are only going to read one book on China - this is it
Review: I agree with James Hu (previous review) 100%. It's informative, entertaining and well written. I avoided reading it because I thought it was one of those sappy stories about the trials and tribulations of a Chinese family. I guess I thought it would be another "Kitchen God's Wife" or "Joy Luck Club" - niether of which I particularly enjoyed. It is a very human look at a mainland Chinese family, but it's not sappy. It's a great introduction into late Chinese history and culture.
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Summary: Makes you feel you lived through it all yourself
Review: As a Chinese-American, this book opened my eyes to what life could have been like had my parents stayed in China. It helps you understand what a totally different history/experience China has had in the last 50 years compared to what we have had in the West. Compared to the imperialist days and the Mao days, what is happening now in China (opening up with more freedoms) seems like a dream. The simple, straightforward narrative style contrasts dramatically with the events described, producing a gripping, unique book. What happened during the Mao years is so unbelievably cruel; it seems like a combination Clockwork Orange/Mad Max/1984 situation. I have lent this book to a Chinese national friend of mine for her opinion as to whether it could really have been this bad over there.
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Summary: The best real life story I ever read.
Review: This is the best book I ever read. And that is the opinion of many friends of me that also read the book.
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Summary: Wild Swans: Educating and Entertaining
Review: Wild Swans is an absolutely excellent choice if you're interested in learning the fascinating history of a country you know little about and want a page-turning read. Wild Swans tells the story of nearly a century (the 20th) of Chinese life through the lives of three generations of women, told by the youngest of the three. From the grandmother with bound feet who was a concubine, to the disenfranchised Communist activist, to a brilliant young scholar, you learn an honest and unapologetic history of the country. Since it is told by an insider of the communist revolution, you learn much more than you would from a Chinese history book. You also get a powerful picture of what it was like to live through such a tumultuous time period in a country so rich with history. It can be devastatingly sad and depressing at times because much of the 20th century in China has more than its share of starvation, torture, murder and deception. But, I was impressed with the voice the author uses. She is sometimes bit
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Summary: Excellent
Review: I've read a couple of books on Chinese history already, but this book really puts everything to life. Much better than 'Joy Luck', and it's non-fiction. If you can only read one book about modern China to understand the mainland Chinese people, this is the one.!
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Summary: The quintessential China book
Review: I have spent a vast majority of my time looking for the perfect history book on modern China and this is it! If you only read one book on the enigmatic chinese civilization, make it this one
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Summary: Beautifully written; compelling and touching
Review: The best book I have ever read. I have recommended this book to at least 10 friends and have bought it for at least 5 others. Nothing I have ever seen or read comes close to this book in advancing my understanding of Chinese society.
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